SoonerScoop.com reporter George Stoia joined On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman to detail what fans should expect from transfer quarterback John Mateer. One characteristic stands out as the former Washington State passer settles in.
Insider Lauds Washington State Transfer QB John Mateer’s Composure
Mateer arrived in Norman after starting for the Cougars in 2024. He was responsible for 44 touchdowns last regular season, which led the nation. Staples had high praise for the dual-threat signal-caller, who hopes to help Oklahoma return to form after a down year.
“Anybody who stayed up late and watched Washington State games last year loves this guy,” Staples said last week on “Andy & Ari On3.”
Mateer’s 178 rushing attempts, 826 rushing yards, and 15 rushing touchdowns are all single-season records for a Cougars quarterback.
“He’s very skillful. The way he throws the ball is a little bit unique,” Stoia said. “He almost side-arms it. But he’s got a good arm, he can run. I think that’s one thing, too. He’s bigger than what I thought, especially his lower half. I mean, he’s got some huge legs, which feels weird to say, but it’s true.”
“And I think that what they do offensively, Ben Arbuckle, he liked to run him a year ago. … I think you’re gonna see some of that play out, but I think the biggest thing, and the thing that we’ve noticed just talking to him, is his confidence.”
Stoia said Arnold wasn’t fully aware of what was ahead of him playing in the SEC.
“Not to say John does, either,” Stoia clarified. “He hasn’t played in the SEC, but you can just tell the way that Mateer handles himself, whether it’s in a media setting, in practice, his comfortability with someone like Ben Arbuckle … he just looks way more confident out there than Jackson Arnold really ever did.”
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Former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy likened Mateer to a “slightly more run-heavy Baker Mayfield” on his podcast in April. He also highlighted that Washington State was 8-1 at one juncture a season ago, largely thanks to Mateer’s presence.
“He beat Texas Tech,” McElroy said. “He beat Washington. He had a rushing touchdown in all but one game and had nearly 70% completion in seven of his 12 games. He led the FBS in touchdowns last year with 44, and was the only quarterback with 20 or more passing touchdowns and 10 or more rushing touchdowns.”
